wondering about a harley as a first bike

[vulcan500owner]

Hi. I am also brad new to motorcycles...at least riding them. I chose a Kawasaki Vulcan 500. It's a very nicely styled cruiser style bike, fairly powerful (has a Ninja engine), and very affordable. I paid $5000 for it new a few weeks ago.

It's also light enough to get you familiar with riding, and heavy enough to ride with some amount of confidence at 45-50 mph.

Well, what I'm saying is that I'm in the same boat as you and am very happy with the decision that I made for a first bike.

[jstark47]

Vulcan 500's are great bikes, for anyone that can fit on them. I find the frame to be a little small and cramped for someone my size (6' 1"). I absolutely do not hesitate to recommend them for anyone who finds them comfortable.

[vulcan500owner]

Yeah - it is a bit small and short....it feels just like sitting on a Suzuki GZ250. Of course, it's just right for a short guy like myself!

[zed]

Yeah - it is a bit small and short....it feels just like sitting on a Suzuki GZ250. Of course, it's just right for a short guy like myself!

It's not as small and short as you think.The 500 Vulcan total length is 91.34" while the 1600 Mean Streak is 94.9", not much difference really.
I think the small feeling has more to do with the seating position, most likely due to the small frame size as jstark mentioned.

Oh and to both you and rocker-d!

[ofblong]

I have been riding 2 years this Friday and have yet to drop my bike. With that said if I would have been riding a bigger bike like the Origional poster had mentioned at first I would have most likely dropped it. When I first started riding I made MANY mistakes that being riding a smaller bike I was able to correct without going down. I think if I would have made those same mistakes on say a 1200 cruiser or the 1100 MS I want I would have gone down. Though insurance pays 100% for me cause I decided to get full coverage with no deductable its not worth having to use it.

Either way I bought the honda Shadow Deluxe VLX and am glad I got it as a starter bike. Though I wish I had the funds to buy the Ducati I want cause I feel I am ready to "upgrade". Till I get the funds though ill be riding this around some more.

[follow]

It's been two months since your original post..did you get a bike.
If you got any bike congrats. ride safe. As far as the Rocker goes it is a sweet looking bike with lots of torque. I do agree with some of the others in the respect that it would be costly to fix or replace a part if you were to drop it. HD does mean Harley Davidson but it also means Hundred Dollars...parts. But take the classes, learn, practice,ride, (on cheap starter bike) build your confidence then get what you want not what some tells you to get. You will be happy with what you pick and become a better rider with what you love. I am a small 5'3 person and have a 800lb bike that I control just fine and can pick up, back up on my own.